🔗 Share this article Russell Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this week, responding to recent criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton. "Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press." The quarterback's response directly referenced the notorious Bounty Gate issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints. During that period, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering hard hits on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year. The Cause of the Recent Dispute Wilson's response came after Payton delivered remarks after the Broncos' historic 33-32 win over the New York. The coach suggested that the Giants had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB. Moreover, Payton implied that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would rather facing Wilson over Dart. "I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" Payton stated. Background of the Coach-QB Partnership The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M contract. The team went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to Denver brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a period in broadcasting. Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the player from getting injured. Had Wilson remained on the roster by March 2024, his $37M pay for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the ugly split between the player and his mentor.